Tom McEwen admits ‘shock’ over Charlotte Dujardin horse whip video but insists the sport’s horses are treated ‘like kings and queens’ as the equestrian gets under way at Paris Olympics

At the Versailles estate, a member of the British Royal Equestrian Association declared that horses in the sport were treated “like kings and queens” following the Charlotte Dujardin scandal.

Eventing rider Tom McEwen, who was awarded an MBE after winning gold in Tokyo, had the dubious honour of being the first Team GB rider to be questioned about Dujardin’s suspension from the Olympics. The ban came after shocking footage leaked of her whipping a horse 24 times.

The son of a vet from Lambourn told reporters the story had come as “a complete shock” but insisted the footage did not provide a glimpse into a problem that some say is endemic. He invited attendees to visit his own garden to see for themselves.

McEwen, who also won silver in Japan, began his campaign brilliantly in dressage under the stormy Parisian sky, before eloquently defying the dark clouds of Dujardin’s aftermath.

“These horses are looked after like kings and queens,” he said. “It was a complete shock to all of us, what has come to light. But I think for the rest of us it’s really important to really shine a light on our great sport.”

Dujardin was withdrawn from the Olympics after the video showed her whipping a horse 24 times

McEwen is adamant that the video did not provide a glimpse into a problem that some believe is endemic

McEwen, number three in the world rankings, did make a distinction between dressage – Dujardin’s discipline – and eventing.

“I believe eventing is one of the best sports,” the 33-year-old said. “We are the triathlon of the horse world. I would love for everyone to come to our stables and see how well these horses are looked after. I agree it was a huge shock to the horse world. But I believe this week will show all of us that the sport is the great sport that it is.”

Dujardin apologized and admitted she had made an error in judgment after learning the clip had been sent to the International Federation of Equestrian Sports (FEI). She voluntarily withdrew from the Games but was given a six-month provisional suspension while an investigation was conducted.

The Dutch lawyer who filed the complaint said the disturbing clip showed her treating the horse “like an elephant in a circus” during the training session.

Since then, Dujardin has lost a number of sponsors and has also been ‘universally condemned’ by the board of the International Dressage Riders Club, which also includes her long-time mentor and teammate Carl Hester.

McEwen, who lives with Princess Anne at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, also showed empathy for Dujardin.

“I don’t condone Charlotte’s behavior at all, but she has taken responsibility for it and she has taken ownership of it,” he added.

“Realistically, it’s not for me to say (what the outcome of the investigation should be), it’s up to the process and the people to decide what punishment she should get for her actions. Realistically, at the end of the day, she’s a human being, so it’s important to respect her rights as well.”

McEwen says he does not ‘condon’ Dujardin’s behavior in the video

McEwen, who performed well with 13-year-old JL Dublin, added that the team had managed to focus on the task at hand.

“We didn’t expect it at all,” he said. “But realistically, we came here to do our job, which is the eventing team, and obviously we have dressage today, cross-country tomorrow and jumping on Monday. We have our own focus and with eventing you don’t really have a lot of time.”